Bengaluru, May 13: The Karnataka government has revoked its February 5, 2022, order regarding school and college uniforms and issued new guidelines. Students across the state will now be permitted to wear “limited traditional and religious symbols” alongside their designated uniforms.
This decision follows a public outcry after incidents on April 24, where a student’s janeu was reportedly cut in a school, and another student’s hijab was removed during the Common Entrance Test (CET). These events reignited debates about religious symbols in classrooms.
Karnataka’s Minister for School Education and Literacy, Madhu Bangarappa, stated that the government is adhering to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s directives, emphasizing respect for all religions and ensuring students do not face stress while attending school.
Minister Bangarappa further clarified that the new government order specifically allows commonly worn religious symbols such as turbans, janeus, Shiva malas, rudrakshas, and hijabs. However, these symbols should not disrupt student discipline, safety, or identification.
He noted, “Children come to school for education, and we must provide that. They arrive with their religious traditions. Specific rules will be implemented from today.”
Additionally, he explained that recent amendments to textbooks by the state government were intended for the benefit of all children and were not aimed against any particular community.
According to a notice issued by S.N. Padmini, Under Secretary of the Department of School Education and Literacy, the new order aims to ensure “uniformity, equality, secularism, and equal education” in all schools and colleges.
Citing Section 7 and 133(2) of the Karnataka Education Act of 1983 and Rule 11 of the Karnataka Educational Institutions Rules of 1995, the state government has formally annulled the February 5, 2022, order with immediate effect.
Under the revised guidelines, all government, aided, and private schools, as well as universities, must continue to adhere to the prescribed uniform while allowing students to wear “limited traditional and ritual-based symbols,” provided these do not alter or undermine the primary purpose of the uniform.
The state government has also mandated that no student should be denied entry to educational institutions, classrooms, examination halls, or academic activities due to wearing such religious symbols.
The government order prohibits forcing students to wear or remove religious or traditional symbols. However, the dress code for national and state-level examinations will still apply during those assessments.
The state government has instructed School Development and Monitoring Committees (SDMCs), college development committees, and heads of institutions to ensure that the rules are implemented uniformly and without discrimination.
The order states that institutions should adopt an inclusive approach inspired by the teachings of social reformer Basavanna, ensuring that no student is deprived of education.
Any institutional circulars, rules, or directives contradicting the new government order have been declared invalid.
The state government also mentioned that it reviewed the dress code regulations followed in central schools and found that institutional discipline can be maintained without imposing restrictions on certain limited traditional or religious symbols.
The order emphasizes, “In a constitutional sense, secularism does not oppose personal beliefs. It means equal respect, fairness, and non-discriminatory behavior for all.”
Furthermore, it states, “It is essential to maintain a balance between institutional discipline and constitutional values such as equality, dignity, and the right to education.”
This order is effective immediately across Karnataka.
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